Saxifrage.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Partial shade to full sun depending on the species.

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

6 to 12 inches

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Watch for wilting leaves, which often signal that the plant is too dry or getting too much heat. Provide plenty of fresh air circulation to keep them happy.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stalks and dead leaves to keep the plant tidy.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant has outgrown its current container or the soil has degraded.

Soil

Well draining, gritty, rocky soil.

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline.

Temperature

-40 to 25°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 7 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

Some species may cause mild skin irritation upon contact with the foliage.

Children

Keep away from small children as ingestion may cause stomach upset.

Contact allergens

The foliage can cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen is generally not a significant allergen.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Basal rosettes of leaves
• Star shaped five petaled flowers
• Often found in rocky habitats
• Small, compact growth habit

Height

0.05 to 0.3m

Spread

0.1 to 0.45m

Leaves

green, silver, evergreen

Flowers

white, pink, yellow, purple, 1 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

• Crown rot · Fungal decay often caused by poor drainage or excessive moisture around the base.
• Aphids · Small insects that feed on the sap of new growth.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Ensure the crown stays dry during winter to prevent rot. A layer of grit around the base helps keep the foliage off damp soil.

In containers

They thrive in shallow containers or alpine troughs with excellent drainage.

Pair with other low growing alpine plants that appreciate excellent drainage and cool root runs.

Grows well with

• Aubrieta · They share similar light and soil requirements for rock garden settings.
• Sedum · They provide a nice textural contrast in rocky, well drained soil.

Similar species

• Heuchera · They share a similar rosette growth habit and preference for cool conditions.

Science

Family

Saxifragaceae

Genus

Saxifraga

Order

Saxifragales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Cool temperate and alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Conservation

Some rare alpine species are protected in the wild and should never be collected.

They survive in harsh alpine environments by growing in rock crevices where they are protected from wind and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Value to wildlife

early season nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

rock gardens, alpine troughs, crevice planting, ground cover

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do they need full sun?

Most prefer partial shade, especially in warmer climates where afternoon sun can scorch them.

How often should I water them?

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, as they hate sitting in water.

Where the name comes from

The name refers to the ancient belief that the plant could break apart rocks, likely because they grow in rocky fissures.

Good to know

• Saxifraga is one of the largest genera of flowering plants in the alpine world.
• Many species form tight, mossy cushions that help them retain moisture.
• They are perfectly adapted to growing in narrow rock crevices where little else survives.
• The leaves often have lime secreting pores on their margins.